America's Most Realistic Submarine Documentary: The People's Choice Winner!

I made this one hour primetime television special in 1989. At the time, it was a big deal for the American Navy to let me on one of their submarines. I loved the experience and the submariners. This documentary won the Blue Ribbon at the American Film Festival.
In my opinion what makes this so realistic is the everyday life submariners experienced and how when they trusted me and the crew, they let me record how things were when no one was watching. I was impressed with how professional they were and how, though underwater for months at a time, they treated each other decently and with respect.
As you can see in this documentary, smoking cigarettes at that time was just fine on a nuclear submarine. Just a few years later, those rules changed. And it was very strange to be on or should I say in a boat that carried or could carry nuclear weapons. It was strange to be completely disconnected from life on the surface.
It takes a certain kind of person to be a submariner and I have deep respect for their professionalism and their patriotism. I know from so many who have commented on this video that to some extent, life on board a submarine has changed. For example there is no smoking cigarettes for sure. But in other ways, the life on board a Boomer or and attack sub isn't all that different from what is shown here.
As I am an independent filmmaker, I make a portion of my living from selling copies of my films but I have decided, given the number of requests that I have had from ex-Navy men and women, to put the entire film up on KZbin.
If you found this film of interest, please consider supporting my efforts by clicking the Super Thanks button below the video screen. Your support will allow me to present more military oriented films like this from my archive.
Thank you
David Hoffman filmmaker

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Aircraft carriers are as spectacular as submarines. Here's a piece of my movie from the flight deck kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXWqaHqHptyVsLs

[@silverwiskers7371]

i always been interested in them both but never served, id give anything just to see it in person

[@billysmith1797]

I thought Down Periscope was the best submarine documentary?

[@kevingolding8418]

If someone farts on an aircraft carrier it would not be noticed. But on a submarine...

[@CYBERVISIONSdotCom]

Bird Farms are nothing but huge Surface Targets that are fantastic for making movies on, and pumping Torpedoes and Missiles into. Not much else though.

[@CYBERVISIONSdotCom]

@@billysmith1797 Most of us agree with that assessment - up to a point. There are some big errors (e.g., whiskey doesn’t do anything to diesel), but where it’s most accurate is depicting our personalities. The video shows us as deadly serious about everything - but again, only up to a point.

[@douglasreeves9938]

I was a staff instructor at NPTU Idaho Falls, S5G prototype in 1974. During a scheduled repair shutdown, I was the Reactor Compartment Entry Watch. Adm. Rickover came to the prototype for an inspection. He requested permission to enter the reactor compartment but I could not give him permission as he did not have a green card on file. The officer escorting started to berate me, asking me if I did not know who he was, etc. Rickover looked at the officer and told him that this young petty officer was only doing his duty. He looked at me and said, "Well done, son." Stayed in for 20 years, 2 months, and 28 days. Most respect for this man.

[@karaDee2363]

In 1949, Admiral Rickover became Director of the Nuclear Power Division, Bureau of Ships, and was appointed chief of the Naval Reactor Branch, Reactor.. etc. He has been known as the Father of the nuclear submarine.. Instrumental in the development of the world's first nuclear submarine the Nautilus . All I'm going to say now is, that's quite a tall tale you told...lol

[@DriveLaken]

@@karaDee2363 nice

[@RichardAutry-b1d]

When Adm Rickover passed away, I commented the fact to a friend of mine, a retired Navy Commander was immediately incensed at the mention of the Admiral's name and began to regale me with the Admiral's nature If you saw It's a wonderful life, where Jimmy Stewart goes to meet Mr Potter only to find the front legs of his chair unevenly sawn off, you have Admiral Rickover because he wanted you to be as uncomfortable as possible when you were sitting before him. Also, as an officer in the submarine service, if he didn't like you, you would immediately be transferred out of the nuclear sub service, blacklisted, and never again serve on a nuclear sub while he was in charge of it. So, I'm surprised that the officer that was escorting him didn't have that happen to him. Nevertheless, my congratulations to you for having the presence of mind to ask for his green card when he requested entry to the reactor room, he was likely testing you to see if you were doing your job.

[@american_cosmic]

My uncle was a sonar operator aboard the Lafayette at some point in the 70's, i thought that was the coolest thing when i was a little kid (still do!) -- and i'm still amazed by the whole concept of submarines.

[@GrantCarterBrown]

That is exactly the correct response. Nobody no matter who they are should be able to bully or smooze their way past a clearance. In my industry (IT). They hire people who's job it is to get into all sorts of places and do things they're not allowed to do, or steal your info. Well can them pentesters (Penetration testers). They are sneaky bastards and will pull every trick to get where they want... I did it for a while when I was younger and I got into places you wouldn't believe. Military bases, police stations, telecoms companies (People hold doors open for you when you have a ladder in one hand and a toolbox in the other, even secure doors)

[@petercopley1769]

As a former British seaman, I'm so glad these guys are on our side. Brave, professional, friendly, and proud submariners God bless the US submarine service.

[@51cmark]

And God bless all who serve with the Royal Navy. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

some of the best❤

[@robertreads21]

I loved the time spent at the Faslane pub. UK Submariners are so fun. Thank you guys.

[@metameta1427]

God bless our fierce fighting allies on the British isles. Our histories are intertwined from the 16th century onward. We are like a set of brothers. The little brother has out grown the big brother and thinks he has eclipsed him. The big brother has to remind the lil bro that they are still not to be disrespected, much as they did in 1812. But the brothers will fight to the death for each other. We will always be great allies, along with Australia, because we three brothers are the Anglo world. We will protect freedom and democracy. Much love to the UK and Australia and our other fierce allies like France and Germany.

[@edjarrett3164]

I’m an aviator, but I totally understand the submarine ethic. It speaks volumes of talent, and desire to be part of a specialized tribe. When you chose to become a member, you join a brotherhood that can’t be explained outside your sub. I was also part of a specialized aviation unit and it was exciting and fulfilling .I salute all those working in subs because you’re doing work most couldn’t do.

[@downwardspiral3252]

i did a full career in Submarines...then worked 8 years in the Carrier Aviation Community - the attitude and comradery are quite similar...but, you guys are still just a TARGET to us! 😜 Cheers my friend! Thank you for your service

[@reggierico]

My father served in the Navy for 26 years, most of that time as a submariner. He went to the Naval Academy, class of 1954. Served on one diesel boat, the USS Segundo, followed by the Swordfish, the FBM Sam Rayburn, the Guitaro and the Vallejo. He served as a navigator, a weapons officer, an executive officer and twice as a CO. He finished as a division commander and finally as a squadron commander. He absolutely loved the submarine service and was gone on patrol for nearly eleven years during his career. The crews are as close or closer than any flight crew or SEAL team, IMO.

[@billywilds1779]

My dad was class of '50 and few jets. My uncle class 52 and did submarines. After talking with him, when I joined I went subs. It was awesome, the people. Which made a big difference after standing topside watch in Scotland during the winter.

[@nicklockard]

Having served on USS Ohio (Gold Crew) SSBN-726, I can say that leadership is especially important on a submarine. A bad leadership team is toxic. And a good one is elevating and inspiring. I served both.

[@levisguy53]

when i reported to the 738 G it was so bad it was referred to as the Moral Suppression Team by several of the other junior sonarmen.

[@Chris_at_Home]

When I got out of the service my first job was working at EB in 1976. I saw the first hull sections of the Ohio come together.

[@lyoko111]

Thank you for serving on tha namesake sub of our shitty state!

[@michael-4k4000]

​@@levisguy53ya young wipper snappers had it easy boy... I fought on a submarine in WW2, we didn't have this fancy training, in billion dollar subs. We got 4 hours of training then we sailed to Japanese waters. We either fought or we died, it was that simple son.

[@genuinsanity]

It would be hell on one of those things with lousy leadership .

[@Mike-jw4xh]

When we volunteered for sub duty in basic training, 3 of us really didn't give it much thought. The extra pay sounded good, plus knowing we would have 18 months of in classroom training before going to sea. Next thing you know, 21 yrs later and 4 boats, 2 tenders and shore duty, retired. Best time of our lives, great teamwork, really miss the sense of mission. Took good while to adjust to civilian life where co workers only cared about getting the paycheck, do least amt work possible. This is highly accurate...but can't recreate the smells, noise, constant hum of ventilation below decks. :)

[@davidwelch2791]

My dad did over 21 years and I did as well on boats. When I got stationed on the USS HAWKBILL SSN-666, I called my dad and asked him why didn't he tell me anything about submarine service. He told me that I had to experience it for myself and he was right. Be safe and be 😎

[@Panzerkampf]

Thank you for your service.

[@webbtrekker534]

@@davidwelch2791 Submarine have their own odors. They become ingrained in your subconscious until you notice when they are absent. Same with sounds. Hell could be breaking loose but if it was normal you didn't hear it, if it was out of place it would wake you up from a sound sleep. Happened to me many times. "...flooding AUX3..." back to sleep. "...blowing sanitaries..." back to sleep. You identify the sound and evaluate it and carry on. 24 hours a day. The smells, we called it "Eu du Submarine..." (that special 'perfume' all subs have) that particular combination of fuel oil, hydraulic oil, ozone, cigarette smoke, (I served in the 1960's) body odors, cooking odors, shoe polish, soap and list goes on to make up what you are breathing and then when you finally surfaced after 2 month submerged, the stench of the outside atmosphere when the hatches are first opened. Once experienced you never forget!

[@justforever96]

I should have gone to the military. It sounds great, for someone like me who likes a sense of teamwork, a mission, who likes to work and solve problems. I have to hold myself back to fit in with the normal workers who don't want to do any more than they absolutely have to. But I am too old now. Shouldn't have wasted my youth.

[@psycronizer]

@@justforever96 I heard that...

[@joeh4638]

I was a submarine officer for 8 years.. and born the year this film was made. Amazing how little has changed from the submarine accommodations, to the training, to the legacy of Rickover. Thanks for sharing.

[@george333ize]

Jethroo

[@bravocharlie639]

Rickover and Naval Officer/President Carter made a good team. "Stationed in Hollywood" for the War but tough-TALKER RonOld Raygun however... 1. Brought back the B-1 Bomber that Carter had canceled in time (because Cruise Missiles made it obsolete) 2.Never turned down a bribe for more dresses for Nancy and couldn't otherwise tell,the difference between worthy and unworthy spending. 3. I could go in all day about that prick, I used to like Reagan when he was first elected - TV told me to.

[@davidd5523]

I have a feeling you and I crossed paths

[@trvman1]

It would be nice if someone went back to see how many of the men in this video were still in the submarine fleet. There is another much newer video on KZbin and the "kids" who are officers are just total nerds. They are so freaking smart. I don't think one of them was over 35 and a few were younger other then the Captain. They basically had to know how everything on the sub worked. Captain looked like he hadn't slept in a week. Have to believe now with Russia and China these subs are taking a much more "active role". Makes me wonder just how many are sitting somewhere off the various coast of Russia and China. If anyone ever has a chance to see a WW II sub, please do. It will make you really appreciate what these men did. You really have no idea just how bad the conditions were on those subs till you get into one.

[@jerrynewberry433]

@@trvman1 pig boats are very different than nukes.

[@matthewbracht940]

My nephew when asked by his mom if one aspect of his job was dangerous replied: "We fill a 400' long tube with pipes full of 1500 psi live steam,440 volt current running everywhere, torpedoes, ballistic rockets with massive warheads and a nuclear reactor. Then we SINK IT ON PURPOSE. EVERY thing we do is dangerous.."

[@DavidWilliams-xl7wp]

Steam is much higher and air goes to 3000 psig. 880 volts aren't the problem, it's the amps that will kill you. Static electricity is probably 10, 000 volts. ETR2SS Williams

[@andypdq]

The overall risk depends purely on the design characteristics of the machine involved. The specific danger of structural failure of submarines is due to the ambient pressure of the water at any specific depth, that's why being in a submarine is more dangerous than being on a surface ship anything else is the same risk as that would be on the surface. The submariner incurs no more risk than any other seafarer on the surface from electrocution from high voltage or from burns from high pressure steam. A nuclear powered aircraft carrier poses exactly the same risks for the crew. Submariners aren't the only ones who face this risk

[@Stigsens1]

David Williams “your mother” would not understand those details...

[@clearingbaffles]

Aimless Studios amine (type of ammonia) absorbs CO2 when cold then releases it overboard when heated and we make oxygen by separating water and pump the H2 overboard

[@clearingbaffles]

David Williams we had 4500# air 450 3 phase AC steam maxed at 550 down to 300# at a flank bell

[@briannewman532]

I was a sonar technician on the USS Salt Lake City SSN-716 from 1997-2001. This documentary brings back so many memories. I could sit down at those sonar stacks and operate them like I was still in. Thank you for making this available.

[@dunno_112]

Bro how do you feel?

[@ywmpg]

I feel the same about my former job... I pine sometimes...

[@makoronius9882]

SSN 763 sonar here. 00-04

[@67440dodge]

GSSM tech, Q-5 208/209 tech, 1986-1995. if you've ever visited the museum in CT, they have a CDC on display... (and one was actually used in the movie "The Rock"

[@thomasjamesdyejr1814]

We served together; 1999-2001. Howdy Shipmate! All the best!!

[@johndavidoff4052]

After 18 years under water in 688 and 637 class submarine I feel I can comment meaningfully. Best group of co workers in my life with a level of dedication found no where else! Lots of good times with moments of shear terror, not for everyone, but I would do it all again if I were a younger man. Go Navy!

[@johnleeson6946]

Fellow Bubblehead. I was on the 671-class from '83-'88. We were different... Sempur Screw You!!! Where's my beer?!

[@bendillin3584]

holy shit dude, you were on a '37? i was on a 688 first flight.

[@johnleeson6946]

@@bendillin3584 Fellow Bubblehead! Not at all like a Sturgeon-Class from the inside. They were an S5W plant with an S3G core -3. My Narwhal was a one-of-a-kind. It was an S5G plant with a damn-near symmetrical engine room. The forward areas were laid-our great. A 688-vet told us that a perfect sub would be to put an LA-Class nosecone on our Engineering Spaces. Were you a Nuke? S6G, right? EM1(SS) and a Plankowner on the MTS Sam Rayburn at NPTU Charleston. Now decommissioned, as I've read... GTFO in 2/91!!!

[@fritzbiederstadt4869]

I was stationed on the USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN-709, reported onboard very shortly after this was filmed and knew many of these guys. I served onboard three surface ships before volunteering for sub duty and servicing on three fast attack submarines. I'm very proud to have severed onboards submarines. Many exiting, very boring, funny, strange and even a few scary times and events. My favorite submarine was the USS Hammerhead (SSN-663). Thanks for posting.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you for your service. How interesting that you knew some of the guys in my film. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@maximodwh4440]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmakerI was on the Rickover as crew augmentation for the Sonar Division and left just before you filmed this (just before Christmas). I later served with two of the Sonarmen at a subsequent command. Thank you for filming this.

[@salolsen7953]

37:43

[@mx-k]

​@@maximodwh4440 I was aboard in '86 performing a STAG on her. I remember when this film came out. I like the narrative and I think it presents my experiences from back in the day... I think I would miss the Sonar Shack which fell out of favor!

[@ColdWarVet607]

"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." ― Winston Churchill

[@harryc1971]

Just checked this, its disputed that George Orwell said it first and Rudyard Kipling said something very similar before him. Its a good quote though regardless of who said it :-)

[@paulmcdonough1093]

polticians sleep ok there is a steel bunkers us poor bastards get killed

[@Falcrist]

I've been around the silent service. These men aren't rough. They're intelligent, determined, and professional.

[@ColdWarVet607]

@@Falcrist We are also most definitely rough.

[@Falcrist]

@@ColdWarVet607 Meh. I lived with and around the sub force for decades. Rough is a bad description. Far from rough, sub personnel are among the most polished individuals I've ever met.

[@seannordeen5019]

Back when documentaries actually taught you something rather than just entertain you. There aren't many military docs that I've seen in the last 10 years that were even half as good as this. Excellent job.

[@danr3545]

Sean Nordeen Restrepo?

[@Markbell73]

You've seen a military doc made in the last 10 years?

[@danr3545]

Mark Bell yes

[@michaelmcneil4168]

They didn't get made by women back then. Coincidence?

[@neglesaks]

@@michaelmcneil4168 "They didn't get made by women back then. Coincidence?" Funny, I read that as "They didn't make by women back then. Coincidence?" That explains the crew composition of the boat :D

[@luistpuig]

David, MM1/SS Puig here. Here are some sub anecdotes I collected over the years... enjoy: Part 1: Kenneth Reed • I was a section adviser at NNPS in Orlando. One of my students had just failed an exam, and I took him to the Class Director (MMCM) for further counseling. The Class Director (MMCM) was dressing down the student for not completing his required study program. The CD told him, "I'll lead a horse to water, but I'll be damned if I'll suck on his ass to make him drink!" I was in tears, standing behind the student. Dave Smith • Early 60's...USS Von Steuben on patrol...family grams were limited to 15 words, and were carefully censored for cryptic or 'suggestive' messages. According to my RM buddy, one that he saw get through read: "Me, kids and parents fine. Love and miss you. Car won't start. Bring home crank." David Riegler • A long time ago I was convinced that I needed to fill out an ID-10-T form. To this day I still use it. A neighbor was recently running for County Councilman and I asked him if he had filled out his required ID-10- T form. He asked the County Clerk and the Republican Party Leader before someone had him spell it out. Priceless! Tom Mitchell • Once a coner came to maneuvering and said that he must have an ear infection, because “his Fallopian tubes were swollen”. Phil Saner • SK 3rd Laundry Queen doing the CO's laundry. Toasted them! Use Gomer Pyle voice, "When they're smok'in they're dry'in, when they're burnt they're done." CO had to 'borrow' underwear for the rest of the patrol. Butch Ford • Back on my first boat The Daniel Webster SSBN 626, I was standing Sonar Supervisor and a JO came in for his 4 hour sonar indoc before going to his CO interview. We of course explained all of the equipment how it worked what it was used for etc. One of the pieces of gear the BQR-7 had a steering wheel like device on the front panel and a red button in the center of it. He asked what the button was for, and I explained with a strait face that is was a low frequency whale horn to chase away whales. He wrote it down like what I told him was gospel. A few hours later the CO comes and finds me on the mess decks watching the movie and was laughing so hard while he was trying to chew my a$$ out. That JO wound up being my DivO the next run. He never trusted me... I wonder why? Mark Martin • On the Teddy R back in the late 70's we had a RM2 from Puerto Rico with a thick accent. When he stood Below Decks you would hear on the 1MC "There are divers in the sail and mens in the water, no radiate or rotate nothin" Gray Miller • where to even start… the cook that came aft with a box of crackers ready to 'feed the shaft seals'. Christopher Reyes • We had a guy who talked really slow . One night, about 4 AM, he was testing the bridge case before surfacing, "This is a test of the 1MC from the bridge. 5...4....2..1...Correction, 3. This completes the test." Same guy, different day. I was Ship's Duty Officer onboard USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul SSN 708. The officers had just been lambasted for topside routinely not piping the CO off correctly. I hear " Minneapolis departing." XO is already turning red. I looked at him and said "Don't worry XO, he'll pipe you as Saint Paul when you leave." Port and Starboard. Norman Brent WHAM • I believe one of our SOPs stated; "Cussing is prohibited, but, a salty comment now and then may be appropriate". Duane Kleven • One of our XOs famously explained that there is no yelling and screaming on submarines, it’s “training at a high decibel level.” Robert Leeper • the KISS principle… Keep it simple stupid. First Chief in A school, use it to this day. Michael Beezley, P.E. • The 50-50-90 Rule. If there is a 50-50 chance, you will be wrong 90% of the time. Mike Wheeler The version I know of that statement is "if a nuke is given the 50-50 chance, 90% of the time he will get it right." Steven Grim • Another gem from ol' Navy days: Why fart and waste it, when you can belch and taste it! Mark Gaskill • My XO called the PRT the "semi annual brush with death" Franklin Gillis • The one that sticks with me the most is returning from my first patrol on USS Rhode Island as the Maneuvering Watch Petty Officer of the Deck, MM1 Fred Mounce (crusty A-Ganger, and my former sea dad) popped his head out of the Missile Compartment LET and asked if I could see any FAT, UGLY, WOMEN on the pier. I replied no I hadn't. Fred sighed and said "Damn, my wife’s not here" and went back below. I was speechless and still think about it. Stephen Chickos • I still use "If you ain't got nothing to do, don't do it here..". Since all the techs are ex-Navy or retired Navy, they scatter like cockroaches when the lights come on. Mike Arsuaga • How about to old rejoinder to quit the yacking and bring the results that goes something like "I don't want to hear the labor pains. I want to see the baby." Joe Perry • The stupid shall be punished - Lou Sykes SUBLANT CMC and my personal favorite after regaining consciousness following a 450vac arm to head electric shock then EM3 (now LCDR) Mark Yates - "Man, what that like tasking copper, smelling ozone and feeling the wrath of God?" Brian Blodgett • Don't worry about the fire - the flooding will put it out!

[@kennyworth007]

Cavalry vet here. I watched this with amazement. I now have a better understanding and a profound respect for submariners. Different breed for sure. Tip of my Stetson to you all.

[@kenreeve6549]

Other documentary directors should take note : What an excellent documentary ,no stupid music no silly camera angles and clear narration ,thank for the film 10/10

[@westrnite]

No Time For bullshit!

[@BigWesLawns]

Also. British narrators put me to sleep instantly.

[@charliem989]

plus Tom Clancy looking like an absolute god of the silent service. when is the last time they brought out an author...

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@charliem989 ..."Das Boot"...is as close as any movie ever came to "smellovision"....liked the part where everybody had to rush to the front of the boat in a crash dive....

[@JamesSOkai]

@@westrnite u 0 0 loo l.p.

[@michaelberg5883]

22 year LA Class submarine vet here. This is an amazing film! Most authentic I have seen. It gave me “flashbacks” of a sort. Thank you for your painstaking capture of detail including what the uninitiated might think are mundane. They’re not. They’re the context that gives true, unvarnished meaning.

[@Daedalus294]

im in the middle of designing coins for the COB of the USS San Juan (which I think is an LA class).

[@cascadervsolarsolutions]

Well put Mike. -JayHef

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Any scary times out at sea? What is a storm like in a sub?

[@LD-wg7gr]

@@Chironex_Fleckeri Being on the surface sucks. There's no keel, so think of riding in a bottle next to your rubber ducky. Once you dive things usually calm immediately, unless there's a significant storm, think hurricane, then it can still cause movement when deep.

[@clydebrundage3215]

michael berg Thank you for your service

[@miker7933]

Thank you. I was a submariner 45 years ago, and this really hit home.

[@CJ-rf1ow]

I was onboard when this was filmed. Really miss my time with these guys. We did alot of drills for the film crew.

[@swdw973]

Lots of drills for special events. . . the Navy way-. ;-) My question is- how many field days did you have before the film crew arrived? :-D

[@Rudizel]

Whats the story with those silly glasses?

[@cheddar2648]

RE the glasses... probably getting night vision ready for PD trip

[@jdh023]

Thank you for your service and sacrifices.

[@woodywoodlstein9519]

C J of all the armed forces these are the greatest heroes to my mind. You guys are the scariest deterrent there is. And the conditions are the harshest. The risk the greatest. And the thanks the most lacking. Cheers mate. Never forget.

[@kolptroop9983]

Great Documentary! My oldest brother served on SSBN726 (Ohio). I joined the army and became a Green Beret. We each thought the other one was crazy. Mad respect to all the crews of our silent service. De Oppresso Liber!

[@tammiem7548]

My former husband served on the Ohio as well.

[@darensmith6705]

My father left the Navy in the late 1950's. He was an officer and a scientist. Dad helped build atomic reactors at Westinghouse Corp, Admiral Rickover's program! I still remember when the USS Thresher was lost on her sea trials! Dad and his co-workers were relieved when there was no problem with the reactor. Sad loss for the submarine fleet! I was only a child but I knew how terrible that loss was for the USA! ⚓⚓⚓⚓

[@mieaab]

U must also been a scientist like him👍👍👍

[@hansvonpoopinheim4215]

@@mieaab Learn the hard way, as a nuke submariner we have the utmost respect, we also understand the dangers that come with it. Without failure there is no improvement.

[@Isadore123L]

You hear about SUBSAFE from the recounts of history, but never the wording for the intent of the program. SUBSAFE is a program for design and training that provides maximum, reasonable assurance that the crew and the ship can recover from flooding or other catastrophic events. Since that time, other events have occurred on submarines, but never with the lethality and loss of an entire submarine and crew like happened with USS Thresher and USS Scorpion. Just last year the SEAWOLF-class sub, SSN Connecticut, struck an underwater geographic feature in the South China Sea and came home afterward. The SSN San Francisco hit an uncharted, underwater mountain in the Pacific in an incident that destroyed her forward ballast tanks entirely and cost the life of a crew member, but she came home with the remainder of her crew. SSN Hartford was struck by a US Navy surface ship, nearly tearing off her sail and ripping open 2-inch thick, incredibly strong steel. The event turned the entire boat on her side, and one sailor was fatally injured when that occurred. Hartford also came home with the rest of her crew. I was at an all-hands, training seminar hearing about Hartford's accident from a man who served as an officer onboard when that occurred. I worked with another man who was on the shipyard repair crew, and he told me what he saw in the torn hull plates on Hartford. To the credit of the shipbuilder's who built SSN Hartford, not a single weld joint failed on her hull. The crew aboard subs respond bravely and professionally due to their integrity of purpose and the rigorous training they endure. I remember a retired sailor speaking to us about being stationed in Portsmouth Naval Yard right after the Thresher tragedy and telling how it really hit home because of seeing tow trucks. Over one-hundred tow trucks lined up to take away cars from the parking lot, each of which belonged to a person who expected to go home afterward that test cruise. In the same way, beyond any technical or military implication, the thing that impacted me most was that former Hartford officer showing a picture at the end of his speech from the day he arrived home from that deployment and was holding his baby girl.

[@vivek27789]

@@Isadore123L True.. Very True

[@MadDawg-bp5wt]

I served on the USS Florida (B) from 1991-1994. My best stories are still things that occurred on the boat. Everyone is stellar, and it was a big drop down from the quality of the crew to a normal civilian work environment.

[@timtoolman4125]

FTB2/SS Gress SSBN 729 B Georgia July 88- January 93. Sharks of Steel filmed by the Discovery Channel while I was onboard.

[@victorvogelsang6350]

I joined the submarine service in 1962 qualified on 5 submarines including a diesel boat. I think of the life often. The COB was very wise you never leave. The men I served with were some of the finest I have ever known. I just wouldn’t let my daughter date one.

[@andrewgalvin844]

Well said Shipmate.

[@neglesaks]

"I just wouldn’t let my daughter date one." It's the old adage: "Where do your parents get to know about the things they warn you about?"

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

Victor, an old friend of mine served about the same time as you. He was on the post WWII Tang, also a diesel boat. He passed away about 15 years ago, but I still remember a couple of his cold war stories.

[@zed332l]

Advice , Go To the Reunions.

[@danieldietsche2954]

Great. As a 1980's boomer sailer, can't imagine the life on board a diesel boat!

[@TonyT3]

Dear Mr. Hoffman, It is highly remarkable how far we've come in the class of Submarines we have today. Having first hand knowledge & experience of how vulnerable the men were who served on these boats during WW2 was night & day compared to today. They truly were beyond brave. There should be a memorial in Washington DC just for them.

[@gillmallcott3658]

Visited the submarine memorial in Pearl Harbour in 2014 and was shocked to learn that the USN lost 52 submarines in WW2,that equates to about 1 a month during the war.Forever on silent patrol .RIP .Lest We Forget.

[@justforever96]

Still nothing compared to the losses German Uboats took. Those are really almost shocking, especially since that was _not_ a volunteer service. It was something like 4/5ths of _all_ German Uboat crewmen didn't survive the war. Crazy.

[@Isadore123L]

@@justforever96 Russian submariners had no walk in the park with the vessels they were handed for their mission. WidowMaker was a real thing, radiation poisoning her own crew because of shortcuts in design and safety. Those who work at General Dynamics Electric Boat take pride in designing and supplying our warfighters with the best possible means to protect our sailors, our families, and our country.

[@shawnmarple6059]

Look into Congressman Andrew May's public comments which caused severe loss of life of WWII submariners

[@stranraerwal]

compared to those" historic subs" life on a "modern" sub of today seems almost luxurious.

[@iphuqdyrmum]

Eternal patrol

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

When I was in the Marine Corp I had the utmost respect for the submariners! Even being in a branch of service that serves on the sea you still have no clue what these men go through. Like the movie said they are in a war state at all times. They are fighting the sea. Keeping the water out. Making sure you dont hit a surface ship. Playing cat and mouse if you encounter an opposing sub. Making sure you dont hit an undersea mountain, drilling rig pipe, derelict wreckage. Your alertness is required at all times. It is a level of stress and tension that is unperalelled. We had some submariners join us for a short time in 2nd AAV so they could understand what coastal assualt was. So they could develop and practice tactics to cover our ass. While we are out there launching helicopters, VTOL jets and driving out assault vehicals off the back of the ship how could they help us. How could they best sink the frigate, destroyer, or other sub gunning for us without getting in our way. Without making a mistake and taking us out. Anytime I would see the sub badge over a row of ribbons or sewn on the tops of fatigues I knew they could be depended on. That they strived to be the best at whatever task they had. As a Unit Diary Clerk i was also a Rifleman and in one of my units a recon patrolman too. With that sub badge you knew they could be a cook but also needed to be a mechanic capable of stopping a leak, a corpman capable of stoping someone's bleeding, a fireman, a counselor, a teacher and so much more. They are among those elite of the services that do not get the same recognition as SEALS, Green Berets, Air Assualt but they deserve so much more. There dedication, knowledge, sacrifices and security they provide us put them in a class of there own.

[@tombkds1]

When I was on subs we hung out with marines when in Port. We didn't really get along with the surface members. Civilians didnt get it when they saw us together.

[@joeottsoulbikes415]

@@tombkds1 i can sort of understand that. The Marine Corp instills a certain feeling of...for lack of a better word...superiority..in you. Marine training is longer and harder than any other armed force unless you go into special ops. Being a submariner puts you in that superior class of training, discipline and self respect you only get from being in the Marine Corp, Submariner, SEAL, Green Beret, Rangers and such. Not all but a lot of the surface fleet sailors just looked at there jobs as whatever.

[@cheddar2648]

And I you. I was somewhat peeved for not getting a PUC, having expected it. Then I heard it was awarded to those Devil Dogs in Fallujah, and I felt terrible for expecting such an accolade for my service.

[@JD96893]

Its the silent service for a reason.

[@annoyed707]

You have an issue with "asphalt", apparently.

[@angusorvid8840]

What an awesome piece of history! My father was in the navy, did two tours in Vietnam on a river patrol boat. He also spent some time on a sub. He always told me how impressed he was with the sub, how organized everything was, the synchronicity, professionalism, and the sheer power of stealth. These are weapons of war that have the power to change the world forever. America's ability to build these weapons and operate them give us an incredible edge. Every president knows the power of our subs and prays they never have to use them. Subs are part of America's insurance policy in an unsure world.

[@leeolson1]

34 years in the Nav and 5 Subs. I miss the intensity and professionalism. I am proud of it but it is a young man's game and I could never hack it now.

[@paulsuprono7225]

So it's the same . . . be it, doing point, at the front . . . or, keeping those birds operational . . . to accomplish the mission. If you weren't an effective member of a team . . . people died ! ! !

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

Even if it is a young man's game, everybody could use the the wisdom of experience. But, I respect your retirement.

[@michaelcuff5780]

Lee Olson Sir! You have my ultimate respect because of the job you did. Thank you for your service! Not many men can do that job.

[@davidsandell7833]

Lee Olson: I know exactly how you feel Lee. I’m 64 now, I’ve been retired from the Nav for 25 years. There’s no way I could go back to subs now. Just getting up and down the ladders would not be fun.

[@douggriggs1499]

God bless you, your fellow Navy men, and all of your loved ones. YOURS WAS A CRUCIAL PART in defeating the Soviet Union. (causing its break-up)

[@music4ever1981]

I served on the USS Pennsylvania SSBN 735 as a member of the Navigation Division. Miss those times, many of my Facebook friends were brothers I served alongside with. Every submariner, male or female, is part of a close-knit community, and I would do it all over again if given the chance. It was hard, stress levels were high, and you felt isolated. So why would anyone want this you may ask? Because, if a person can handle being on a submarine, if he or she can prove to themselves and their fellow Submariners that they deserve the coveted title of a Submariner, then no matter what, that person will always be a Submariner. A Submariner could have qualified in submarines over 50 years ago, and he is still a Submariner. This is a title only bestowed to those truly worthy of it, and very few people have earned it. Every Submariner reading this, you are my brother or sister, and I'm damn proud of you and I would gladly serve with you. I qualified in submarines in December 2003, a moment I'll remember always, and I'll always be a Submariner. ETV2(SS) Glenn Scroggins 🇺🇸

[@levisguy53]

qualified in August 2003 aboard the 738 (gold crew)

[@davidcole217]

Love this Film! I spent 20 years on submarines. Probably the best life choice I ever made. I served under Capt. Lemkin aboard the Michigan SSBN 727 on my last tour. Quite a guy. I really liked the British guy, CDR Compton-Hall, he seemed to really understand what a submarines are all about. One thing they didn’t or couldn’t tell you is that Admiral McKee is pretty much a legend. Read “Blind Man’s Bluff” great book about submarine missions in the Cold War, If you want to know more about him and the others of that era. If you’ve got the aptitude I highly recommend the Submarine Service you’ll never find a more challenging or fulfilling life.

[@smartereveryday]

The original Deep Dive series. This is awesome.

[@sundhararajanganesan9396]

scouring the youtubes for submarine tours ? , yep ! . maybe you should mention this series in one of your submarine videos . thanks to you , i am getting really interested in submarine design .

[@justinakers3196]

What’s up Destin

[@frankpienkosky5688]

no place for a guy with claustrophobia!.....

[@frankpienkosky5688]

remember seeing that "boat" coming up the Ohio River....[obviously submerging was out of the question!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

submarines added a three-dimensional aspect to naval warfare.....

[@hurricanedt77]

Extremely proud to be part of building the Virginia class and soon the Columbia. Every day we remind each other about the importance of our product and those who are aboard.

[@timlinj]

Thank you Sir, from a Boat Sailor. Yard professionals are a MAJOR part of our success. Relay to all others from me, eternal gratitude. James Timlin

[@craftpaint1644]

The Galley and Crews Mess arrangement sucks. Return it to the 688 arrangement pls. Big long tables - stupid idea.

[@crankychris2]

The new USS Rickover (SSN-795) is a Virginia class sub placed in service in August 2021. I wish her good luck and trust that she will equal or surpass SSN-709's fine service record. I'm guessing that 11 months later that she has completed her sea trials and may possibly be on patrol as I write this. GODSPEED brave crew, Submariners are America's finest. We all can take pride in our Silent Service, the best in the world.

[@marinegrunt6633]

having served in the Marine Corps, I don't know how you submariners do it....alot of respect.

[@Otswartz]

Thanks.

[@michaelw.lemaster9779]

I always liked the Navy.....they give us Marines rides everywhere. 😏

[@donaldtarr2332]

Feeling is mutual, Marine!

[@DavidWilliams-xl7wp]

We eat good, have a clean place to sleep, etc. Don't underestimate yourself. You had it rough too. Submarines are just a different kind of rough.

[@DavidWilliams-xl7wp]

@@michaelw.lemaster9779 yeah that's a reminder that we always did that for you that was our job the submarine service took out 3/4 of the Japanese Navy so you're welcome for that too

[@swdw973]

Sub vet here. Great documentary! I got out in 1985, so this is all very familiar to me. One note on your comments about the skipper. On one boat we went from a Captain we respected and admired to one that, during our WEPS qualification, showed he was timid and indecisive. That made us feel like we had a good chance of him getting us killed in a hostile situation. The effect on attitude and morale was devastating. Compare that to another boat I was on where the skipper was smart, aggressive, tactically brilliant, and would back his crew to the hilt. We would go anywhere and do anything for that man, and it made a bond in the crew that was stronger than steel.

[@richb313]

Same thing happened on our boat, a Fast Attack. I will keep the name to myself to protect the guilty. I got out in 79 BTW.

[@startraveler3157]

Thank you for your service to our country sir. I sleep soundly at night thanks to brave ones like you.

[@billdennis2993]

Thanks David for making this excellent documentary available to the KZbin audience. These were brave souls that our Nations security seriously and I will be forever grateful for their service, unfortunately people like The Walker Family made all of these men's efforts at being stealthy irreverent as they hold sold the Crypto codes for communication to the Soviets so at any given time our Nations vital assets positions were known by our enemy. I served proudly 4yrs in USN 2yrs on Patrol Gunboat 92 USS Tacoma including Vietnam tour in '72 but never intentionally went below the sea like these brave sailors did for our National security which so many take for granted these days.

[@1337penguinman]

I got out in 2006. You'd be surprised how little had changed since then.

[@taproom113]

The traitorous Walker's should have been publicly and graphically executed as soon as their guilt was established. To allow them to live, sends a dangerous signal to others contemplating a similar course. I served in the U S Navy, Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare community in the 70's, with S-3 Vikings aboard the USS America and have tremendous respect for submariners. Semper Fi … Never Forget ! ^v^

[@honeycomb8753]

As a Navy Nuclear Power Operator, we never went to Sub School (circa 1988 to 1994). We got vetted in a completely different (and unique) way. I volunteered at MEPS for Sub's and knew that is what I wanted to do as a US Navy Nuke. I then qualified almost everything in the forward end of The Boat (which is what you witnessed in this movie) after qualifying everything in the Engine Room. I loved (almost) every minute of the 6 years I served the USN. Great folks in a demanding career. I've never experienced that level of teamwork (before or) again. I work at a Commercial Nuclear Power Plant today thanks to the USN and its mentoring / schooling. A good number of us reminisce about our Sub-Life (past tense) and we are still in the business of picking on the Surface Sailor's every chance we get. Some things never change!

[@rodneypeters5504]

I joined the Royal Navy in 1962, served on surface ships until 1972, then joined the submarine navy in Australia, as they said in the video it was like I had found my little slot in the world, this is where I belonged. I served until 1988. We had diesel boats, but the dangers and comraderie were the same.

[@Otswartz]

"We had diesel boats, but the dangers and comraderie were the same." True that shipmate. 5 diesel boats and a 688 here.

[@DiHandley]

👍🇳🇿

[@stevenhumphries4667]

gotta love "O"Boats..

[@andrewdeen1]

but the smell was much, much worse

[@craftpaint1644]

They visit more ports. Some countries won't let nuclear subs visit.

[@Bart-dg6qv]

So this is like 20-30 years old documentary. So much better then today's Discovery, NatGeo and others disaster channels.

[@jecht86]

This is phenominal. Im still serving and nothing has changed a bit. That 1st class is a hard ass and I love it.

[@KutWrite]

Yeah, the new docs have to work in some angle on global warming, overpopulation or some other political drivel. This was the straight dope.

[@Xen_Prime]

@@KutWrite transgender issues for example.

[@jeffdurden398]

I miss the old "Hitler Channel" too! Pozzed crap they put out today is unwatchable.

[@neglesaks]

​@@KutWrite Or just.... plain oddities. Like.... Aliens.

[@davidwelch2791]

I was a 3rd generation USN and 2nd generation submarine veteran. Alot of people and even my family has asked what it is like serving on submarines. I give them a vague answer, but they don't understand. My dad and I have talked about our times on boats, but there are things that we don't talk about. Be safe and be 😎

[@robertducat582]

I personally hated it. I made a big mistake in going to subs. I served honorably, but I really don't miss it

[@HollywoodBob39]

Served aboard SSBN 635(B) early seventies. SK2(SS) Six patrols in the North Atlantic. Some of the most dedicated and professional crews you could imagine. In addition to my 24hr on call supply duties, I stood diving planes and later sonar watches. One of a thousand memories can be triggered by a sound, smell, even a number. The narrator was right. You never really leave the boat. We volunteered twice.

[@andrewgalvin844]

Same era for me Shipmate...but on an attack sub....snorkeling through the sewers of Moscow.

[@billofjazz]

I wore poopie suits during 3 patrols aboard SSBN 608(B), and got to read all of the family grams, some were hilarious.

[@guillermolinares4818]

I was going to post something silly, but then I saw the comments from real sub veterans below. My respects gentlemen!

[@scottbarber8515]

You can't offend a true submarineer, lol. To wear the dolphins on our chest, the first thing one has to prove himself as totally void of being offended. Oh the stories i could tell.

[@richardcox8409]

nice save

[@Dick_Interritus]

@@scottbarber8515 In the case, "you know when a Boomer goes down it has 150 men........" just joking. Thanks for doing what I refused to volunteer for. Getting my Surface Warfare pin probably wasn't quite as difficult as your dolphins, especially considering I did it aboard a supply ship. LOL

[@clevelandcampbell1228]

Guillermo Linares please we love anything funny!!! No thin skin sjw crap here. But talking about dating married women as a hobby might cause a small issue. We love shit talking and shit talkers. God bless. The nuclear icbms I slept next to, made me fully appreciate anyone joking and having fun. God bless. Have fun dude!!

[@z06king]

worked in ICU for 35 years after my nuc sub short career. Took 20 of those years for medicine to learn to repeat back verbatim any order to prevent errors of understanding. This film brings back vivid memories of those two month patrols.

[@marmadukegrimwig]

This is documentary filmmaking of the highest order. It gets under the skin of the subject without being intrusive. Bravo.

[@JRobbySh]

Never see the filmmaker. Not that is something I do not expect of someone in films. True professionalism worthy of men men you are with.

[@benc65753]

What a flood of memories. The year this was filmed I made Chief. You never leave the submarine service, no matter how long you've been retired.

[@scottbarber8515]

I left service in 2005, i miss it every day. I will always be a submarine sailor. Its in my will to be buried at sea from a submarine on westpac. Amine still runs through these veins. Lol

[@paulsuprono7225]

@@scottbarber8515 Looking into your world . . . I aee this NOT as Lol . . . but serious business/existance . . . you inevitably will take, to your last breath . . . on this earth. I'm speaking from the view of an infantryman, with submariners . . . as relatives !

[@zed332l]

Benc65753// You Can never leave my friend, It is Inbreed in you once you chop the ice away to the Floating Platform in New London CT. in the winter time. Once they Tag your Dolphins to your chest. I still have the Pin marks on my Chest.

[@zed332l]

Only one way out CPO we our not their yet if still on the green side........ We Had a cook Tom Ramsey, Best in the Navy, Whats for Dinner, ....? Cake and Coc_ and we just ran out of Cake.......Made the mistake said it to my New Bride she said I'll take (B)......

[@zed332l]

As He said They never Let you Go.......... Once Dolphins our Tagged on they never come off.....

[@g-manstoyreviews1041]

Even though I served in the United States military myself in another branch, I totally understand and respect any sailor who served the silent service.

[@jebsails2837]

What luxuries. I served in Fire Control on two Diesel/Electric "boats" the late 1960's. No laundry, a 30 sec shower every 8 days, hot bunk, and coffee with a film of diesel. Narragansett Bay.

[@dougliebrock761]

Diesel boats forever.

[@paulsuprono7225]

Hmmmmmm . . . makes your experience, almost desirable ! 🇺🇸

[@paulsuprono7225]

No laundry ? A particular 'locker room aroma' matures, as your mission evolved ! 😨😖😬

[@kentwilliams4152]

Ah yes, “Hot Bunking,” I remember it well! But - No showers ever!

[@DavidWilliams-xl7wp]

I was on in 80, still hot bunking when squadron officers got their sea pay for taking our bunks. One of the reason I got out. Three days a quarter was it?

[@buckeyefan9251]

I served on this boat from '89 to '93. I miss all the friends I served with while onboard the Rickover.

[@johndewey6358]

I am so proud of our guys that silently roam around our waters as well other locations protecting us and our interest. Submariners that I have known and met are very special and very strong and independent people. Thank you for your service and all that you and your families sacrifice to ensure our country is safe.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Well said.

[@SuperRockyMountainSRM]

My grandfather just keeps me interested.. .very proud of him and his talent. Serving silent service ww2. RIP Pappa.... USS SCABERFISH

[@Otswartz]

RIP shipmate.

[@aaronblair9583]

My dad was a navy enlisted airman starting in 68. Shamrocks, anti submarine warfare tech....Soo many crazy stories. Once in the late 70's flying in a s-3 viking, or hoover as he called it. Had a track and dropped sonar buoys. Everything was normal until my dad said "pos ident, us sub". About a minute later got a return to ship order. De briefed and was immediately shipped to mainland. They told him "you heard nothing, never do that again". And he returned to the ship. A decade later he found out what happened. Bad compressor in a mess freezer. He was right. Another time he was at a big inspection by an admiral. Apparently you don't speak to admirals? Anyway admiral made a beeline for my dad"pfc Kingsbury!" He yelled. And began chatting up with my dad in the middle of an inspection. Co of the squadron and cap of the ship pulled him into an office and began chewing him out...just when it was getting bad, door opened. Admiral stick is head in "pfc Kingsbury, I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me!" He was my father's pilot in vietnam, they were shot down together mapping sam sites. God I regret not writing these stories down while he was still here. If I live to 150 I can't live half the life he did...he died two years ago.

[@zabercrombie24]

USS Nimitz

[@donc9751]

Great story about your dad! I grew up in a military family too. Army, dad did 21 years and retired in 75. It's a whole nother life different from civilian life itself. Thanks for sharing a really interesting story! Sorry for your loss!

[@Pmcmahon99020407]

I was 611 and 642 blue crews. Every submarine disaster still hits me hard and my last patrol ended September 1975! All submarine crews are family. Every one even the Russians presumably hunting for me back then. I hope the men and now women are kept safe. Smooth sailing.

[@WarpFactor999]

I was on subs as a nuke on a fast attack and a boomer. Boomers were definitely better duty. I met Rickover 4 times - each time was very memorable. The fact that you could put 96 guys together on a sealed boat for ~95 days and still have 96 guys sane and in one piece when you pulled in was amazing and a testament to the screening involved to be a submariner. Note that the video left the back (engineering) half of the boat out of the video (classified / no-foreign). The video brings back a lot of memories. Zumewalt's book On-Watch had a chapter called the Rickover Connection which described Rickover to a T. An excellent read that I highly recommend. - Thanks so much for uploading it!

[@Rubycon99]

I was wondering for a second if they were actually going to let him back there before they shut the hatch. Would've been nice to see the engine room again. :)

[@markwatson3135]

My dad served many years in submarines starting with Silversides (SS) 236 and ending on Scamp SS(N) 588. He put her in commission. He was proud of serving in submarines

[@mickik1831]

The Siversides is in a museum in Muskegeon, MI. On memorial day they start the engines and have a very nice ceremony.

[@russell4718]

I jumped out of planes for the Army,15 years and submariner's always had my respect it takes real bravery to get into a boat and sink in intentionally hat's off to you guys

[@lesterlammers9463]

I was a submariner and cold not see jumping out of a perfectly good. airplane.😁😁😁

[@Idahoguy10157]

I served on a nuclear submarine for four years from 1977-81. The Officers from LT (O-3) Up had been personally interviewed by ADM Rickover when they applied for nuclear power school. Man did they have stories about him!

[@Dick_Interritus]

I would be interested to see how today's officers would stand up to ADM Rickover. Many a man left his office in tears, from my understanding. I was lucky enough to talk to someone who had been interviewed by Admiral Rickover.

[@KutWrite]

Yeah, Rickover must've been bullied as a kid. The stories I heard, I'd have flunked the interview I'm sure. I'd have given back as good as I got.

[@Dick_Interritus]

@@KutWrite Actually, from my understanding you probably would have passed the interview, if you could back up what you were giving.

[@KutWrite]

@@Dick_Interritus: You're probably right. I met a submariner who did that and thought he'd failed. He was accepted with some words of support from Rickover.

[@Dick_Interritus]

@@KutWrite I heard Rickover convinced some young Ensign to cancel his wedding, because he wouldn't have time for a wife He then pointed at his phone and told the Ensign to call his fiancee and cancel the wedding. The Ensign, then dialed the phone, and Rickover then really let him have it....

[@craigwix456]

Thanks for the memories. I qualified on the first ballistic missile submarine. USS George Washington SSBN 598. 1971-1975. I worked on several pieces of equipment which had serial numbers like: XXX, 00001, 0000. Not a very comforting feeling at 200 ft depth. We experienced flooding, fires, radio active water spills. My longest without surfacing was 72 days. I was 21 when I came onboard. The average age was about 23. ETN2 SS 1969-1978. Today I was in contact with 3 friends that were on the boat with me. Life long friendships. 50 years.

[@lawrenceleverton7426]

The Sail of the 598 is on display at HS Nautilus Museum in Groton Conn. I helped install it there. 20 or so years ago.

[@jerrynewberry433]

Rad-Con 67-69 AS-33 USS SIMON LAKE. was aboard the Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, T.Roosevelt, Madison, and a few I can't remember. Repair of those subs was only done, when someone recognized a problem. We were only as good as the crew reporting problems. I never once saw a work order turned down for lack of money or a laz-e-fair attitude. The only thing I could see during my time in Repair, was crew inexperience due to such a new engineering experience with Nuke Reactors. Repair were done with extreme care and diligence and the finest testing techniques available at the time. Thanks to Adm Rickover for his dedication and flat common sense that the Nuclear Navy is what it is today.

[@jkuoverland8507]

“You never really leave the boats” So true! 23 years on SSN’s, been retire since 2005 and would go back today… Only a Bubblehead can understand. Almost made me tear.

[@luistpuig]

Same here brother.

[@wildrootsfarm1975]

Been there done that....Im proud to be a part of the brotherhood of Submarine Shipmates. Salute to you all - past and present!

[@zed332l]

Got Plenty of T Shirts Brother of the Phin?

[@clydebrundage3215]

Trojan Horse Solutions, LLC. Thank you for your service

[@Idahoguy10157]

My take, as a former submariner, is no one whose been a qualified Submariner ever leaves it. It is forever ingrained

[@madmaximus2836]

In 1986 when this documentary was made I was a teenager in South Africa. I loved American fighter jets (still do) and had posters of US fighters in my room. My wife and I immigrated to the US 20 years ago. My older son is currently in the Navy and in a few months my younger son will be in the Army. My older son just graduated from Power School in the Navy's nuclear propulsion program. It sounds like he wants to serve on a ballistic missile submarine. I've been watching lots of Navy documentaries to learn more.

[@robseneff]

As a retired submariner, it is nice to see a realistic portrayal of what went through, the space, the closeness, the stress and the day to day grind that is a submarine patrol. I tip my cap to you David for this film, and all that assisted in the making of it. It is a shame, that way too many people simply don't understand what we went through, and maybe that is for the best!

[@Dick_Interritus]

I agree with you, I never served aboard subs, nor ever had any intention of, but I was able to tour one, when our ship was providing boats to a sub that was allowed to go to a foreign port. First and only time we ever did that. I was a hole snipe, and it is very hard to convey to people what it was like, especially when you can not visualize it.

[@edwardweeden8837]

Dear Mr. Hoffman, I am the Carrier Sailor who has corresponded with you about Flight Deck previously. After retiring, I worked for many years with a retired Sailor who served in the 'Silent Service'. He used to regale me with stories about hunting U.S. Navy targets - including my former carriers! Everything was a 'target' to them, and much of the time our sub-service technicians were unable to locate or identify such subs. Much respect to your meticulous attention to detail in this video.

[@levisguy53]

spot on, everything seen through the periscope is a target!

[@Rick-xe8bt]

I was stationed in Charleston doing boomer patrols as a sonarman out of Kings Bay when this was made. This is a really good film. I'm surprised at how much access they gave the filmmakers. We were still heavy into the Cold War. This really hits home. Thanks for making it available. I never saw it before.

[@wildrootsfarm1975]

"even when he retires, he never really leave the boats" - the Truest statement in the life of a Submariner. I would go to sea today if given the opp to serve again.

[@zed332l]

I still remembered my rack when he filmed berthing.....

[@Idahoguy10157]

That’s my experience, as a former submariner from 1977-81

[@paulsuprono7225]

Going 'full circle' displaying the CO's rack would be valued. I've seen the CO's quarters, for an aircraft carrier . . . however, being that space is at a premium, his quarters on a sub are inevitably miniature to that, above water !

[@DavidWilliams-xl7wp]

You would go to sea still, me too

[@manuelvalentin2648]

A heartfelt salute from an aircraft carrier vet (USS Coral Sea, CV-43) to my brothers of the deep.

[@manuelvalentin2648]

@@markloper5400 Nice to hear that shipmate! I was with VAW-127 'Seabats'

[@jhollie8196]

Good old girl. The Coral Sea. Spent three years on her from 77-80 as past of the Marine Detachment. Great duty.

[@danielpeppler1717]

I was on board when you guys filmed this. Was an FTG2. Thank you for putting it on KZbin!

[@antonrudenham3259]

"It could be that you're already killed, you just haven't found it out yet" Capt Edward L Beach referring to the highly technical nature of modern undersea warfare. Chilling.

[@GaryMCurran]

Yeah, well a couple of Japanese submarines found that out during WWII in the Pacific.

[@pedrolopez8057]

@@GaryMCurran and the Thresher

[@richardcline1337]

@@pedrolopez8057and the USS Scorpion in 1968.

[@dereksuddreth8672]

I was a surface Sonar Technician (STG) assigned to two Knox Class Frigates during the Cold War (1977-81). Finding and tracking Soviet subs was our primary mission (Anti-Submarine Warfare) while deployed. At that time, the Soviet Navy had more submarines than anyone on the planet. Our main targets were the "Boomers", or ballistic subs. The US Navy used their own Fast Attack subs to track boomers, along with ASW surface ships and various aircraft. There were also stationary sonar arrays near Greenland and in the Bering Sea. Many of the Soviet subs were noisy, and we took advantage of this. One of my ships, the USS Hewes, FF-1086, deployed a passive towed sonar array (TASS). We nicknamed it the 'tail'. We often acquired and tracked very long range targets (in the thousands of miles) when temperature, salinity and other factors were good. Our own subs also deploy TASS.

[@scenepointjudge]

RIP Mr. Tony. He was one of my instructors going through aircrew school.

[@michaelconde9702]

That is the way it was. I was an MS, or CS, as it is called now, for 4 years on Augusta SSN 710. Next ship after this one. I miss it every day and watching this brought back fond and froughtfull memories.

[@martystrasinger3801]

Thank you for this Mr. Hoffman. “Former” submariner here, electrician in the nuclear power program, got out in 1986. Served on USS Tecumseh and USS Lafayette. Hopefully I can get my wife to watch this!

[@Quintessential7]

This was my first submarine from 2003 - 2007. Great memories from my time there. This was simply excellent. Excellent.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you for your comment. If your resources allow, I would sure appreciate your using the THANKS button under any of my videos including the one you have commented on. It is something new that KZbin is beta testing and would mean a great deal for my continuing efforts. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@silentbuccaneer4569]

I went through Navy Enlisted Submarine School a few years after this was filmed. That was an exhilarating experience. It was hard, it was fun, at the time I thought it made a man out of me. After I went through this school, I went through my rating school to become as Missile Technician. My first boat was the USS Kentucky. I arrived 13 September 1993 and started my journey to becoming a man 27 Novemeber 1993. I finished my sea going ventures 26 June 2010 and retired 31 Januray 2012.

[@RivetGardener]

congratulations, and impressive service!

[@silentbuccaneer4569]

@@RivetGardener I spent about 6 years total of my life underwater. I did 18 patrols.

[@mieaab]

What do u do after leaving Navy Sir?

[@flounder2129]

I was onboard the 737 B from bout Sept99 to Dec01 when I retired.

[@silentbuccaneer4569]

@@flounder2129 I was on the 737 B from 93 to 97. Then went to SWFLANT. When there was a missile incident on the 737 of almost getting the missile wet.

[@rcsontag]

I was a qualified Reactor Operator (RPCP) on a Permit (Formerly Thresher) class fast attack submarine. My enlistment ended in 1972. This documentary brought back many memories.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I'm glad that it did bring back those memories. Thank you for commenting. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@ronaldgarrison8478]

This film is great partly because, when you watch it, you get caught up in the spirit of the whole thing. Part of you really wants to be one of these guys. But then, of course, there's that other voice, saying: Now just a damn minute…

[@delbertcutsinger5646]

I will never forget deploying on the USS Tarawa LHA1 on my first Westpac in 1986, while watching as we left port I watched as our submarine submerged, never to be seen again until 6 months later as our battle group returned it came to the surface, I'm so happy that I wasn't a bubblehead...

[@timoteoshanahan5512]

This is an excellent documentary. My father was a career submariner during the Cold War. His first command was an attack boat, U.S.S. Cubera 347. Then on to command SQD 6 SUBDIV61. I was very fortunate to have spent a great deal of time on the boats. From U.S.S. Skipjack SSN 585 and the legendary Nautilas SSN 571 way back in the 1960s, in addition to several deisel-electric boats, including the Cubera. Memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.

[@thomasfx3190]

I was an AO at Whidbey NAS. I don’t think I’d be a great candidate for submarine duty, I have huge respect for those that do. It looks like this was filmed in the late 80’s on a LA class 688? Very well done documentary.

[@edhollingsworth2335]

My great nephew is on a nuclear attack sub. (US Navy) This film helped me understand a little bit of what's involved. Thank you for posting this.

[@frankchapman6849]

Served on SSN-664 (Sea Devil) and SSN-688 (Los Angeles) fast-attack nuke boats. Great video!! On a Med cruise we (SSN-688) the newest fast-attack in the fleet was on one side of a sub-tender ship and the Nautilus (SSN-571) was on the on the other side. Crews got to see the old and the new. Later after leaving the Navy I was a project engineer on the Seawolf SSN-21 development. Got several opportunities to fix the designs from shipyard and Navy engineers who had never worked at sea. The qualification training was so engrained I can still walk my way thru starting up the engineroom after 40 years. Miss it all and the video brings back some great memories.

[@juan54321]

I'm only ten minutes into the movie, and I can already tell how different this is from documentaries of today, I'm not gonna name any of those diferences since I know smart people will understand, however I do want to point out this: the video format used captures their reality in such a fidelity that is beyond pixel count, today we have such a fetiche in high resolutions and frames that something was lost in the way. Thank you for uploading this.

[@antisoda]

I'm only 5 minutes in, and the fact that every spoken line hasn't been repeated at least 3 times just confirms that this documentary is a notch above the rest.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

got to work on that decommissioning project at Shippingport. PA...ostensibly, the worlds first nuclear plant...my first reaction when I saw the reactor shell was that it looked like part of a submarine...since this built at the time of Rickover and the Nautilis, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised......

[@stevebriggs9399]

Dallas (SSN-700) 1989-1992' Pittsburgh (SSN-720) 1996-1997. Machinery Division. Great film. Brought back memories.

[@ws8061]

That first scene on the bridge where the OOD, Conning Officer, Diving Officer, Helmsman, etc. (Excuse me if I'm not calling them the correct thing I was a surface guy) are all communicating and giving and taking orders makes me nostalgic.

[@RayBecker]

Very cool. I had bombed out of Sub school in 1982 due to childhood ear issues. Doc would not let me in the pressure tank. I really wanted to earn my fins. So I ended up a surface puke. Thanks to all who Served in the Sub Service!

[@zed332l]

Sorry you missed out it really was fun,.....I lost most of my hearing due to the job.

[@EricThompson1965]

Don't overstate the camaraderie among submariners. As a Sonar Tech aboard the USS Henry M. Jackson SSBN 730 when this film was made, I can tell you there are always conflicts. Putting 150 men in close quarters for 72 day patrols, it is not going to be all brotherly love. In my own shack, we battled constantly over whether to allow smoking in Sonar or not. While the sea may be the greatest enemy, often your fellow shipmates will suffice.

[@nukeglowstick]

All that falls away when something real happens.

[@christopherlee7334]

@@nukeglowstick true, but at that point it's as much about saving your own life as it is about saving theirs, regardless of whether you wanted to strangle them just moments before the general alarm sounded. You set aside differences not because you like them but because unless you work together you're both going to die.

[@nukeglowstick]

@@christopherlee7334 I think we are saying the same thing. Though you said it more clearly than I did. I'm saying all the petty disagreements disappear when you face real problems together.

[@christopherlee7334]

@@nukeglowstick well yes, but again, the camaraderie as stated isn't as strong as implied. We might be a family, but a family has constant infighting, mean rivalries and lazy useless drifters too. There's the 1st class that's been there for a hot minute and isn't qualified anything yet somehow slips under the radar, the Chief that refuses to allow liberty and doesn't take sleep into account, department heads that ask the impossible form the crew, cooks that can't help but burn the food, "helpful" 2nd classes that shred valuable paperwork on "accident" or throw away repair parts without asking... the list goes on. Would I save their lives in a fire? Absolutely. Does that mean I have any camaraderie with them? I wouldn't visit their baby shower or wedding, if that's what you're asking. I wouldn't go out of my way to look for them out in town.

[@GatorOrlando]

I served on the older diesel electric boats, I qualified on the USS Harder, SS568 and on the USS Odax, SS484. I was the navigator (QM3SS). I was in 1963-1966. I sure miss those days.

[@dladd396]

I joined the U.S. Navy in 1980 and after technical school was assigned to sea duty onboard the U.S.S. Ajax (AR-6) homeported out on San Diego as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. The Ajax was purpose built to repair everything from Battleships to Cruisers, Destroyers., and everything down to the smallest motor whale boats which were used during man overboard drills and actual emergencies. I served on the Ajax for 4 years then transferred to 2 years of shore duty at Submarine Training Facility, San Diego which was down at Point Loma. This is where the Naval Submarine Base was located along with tenant commands at the base. The base was also the home port to 2 Navy Submarine Tenders, one for Submarine Squadron 3 and one Submarine Squadron 11. I was stationed at Submarine Training Facility (SUBTRAFAC) in 1986 when on the morning of January 28th our country witnessed the Space Shuttle Challenger explode 71 seconds after liftoff. I just got off my overnight duty when this happened. I'll never forget the day and where I was. The fine Astronauts aboard the Challenger were brave and knew the dangers of their jobs and did their jobs because they wanted to, no conscription into service, just volunteers like ALL Submariners! I was assigned to the Submarine Tender U.S.S. McKee AS-41 after completing my 2 years of shore duty. I would then work in the Quality Assurance Division with the Repair Department for nearly 8 years aboard the McKee including deployment to Desert Storm January 18th, 1991 until our return to homeport July 18th, 1991. Prior to our deployment we worked to ensure our fine ship and crew would be ready for deployment. We continued working on Submarines during their availabilities with no end in sight. Our Squadron consisted of 688 class subs and the new 688 improved subs which in addition to torpedo tubes were equipped with 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk missiles. Poor Saddam Hussein would suffer at the hands of the efforts of Submarine Squadron 11 Sailors, both Submariers and the Sailors assigned to the McKee, both Submarines and Surface Sailors manning the 75 work centers which could work on Surface Ships and Submarines equally well. The McKee was the only Sub Tender to deploy to Desert Storm and had Male and Female Sailors, both Enlisted and Officers. This ship was the finest Ship I ever had the pleasure of serving on and had great Shipmates who've the backbone of the finest Navy ever to have protected the Globe from Depots, Dictators, and rouge nations.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

the Challenger never should have flown that day...they put their trust in the wrong people.....

[@Echo5Mike]

as a retired sailor and submariner i get asked all kinds of questions regarding life aboard the boats, i then point them to this documentary. thank you for posting it to youtube.

[@cmehustle]

Airdale Navy, ASW. Looking back, we did a few drills with subs but I never had an understanding of quite what they do. I personally could never see myself on a ship that sinks on purpose. Much respect to all those that are or have done this. You guys are the real MVPs!

[@haroldvalentine3128]

Almost 40 years on Active Duty in the United States Navy... My two Submarine tours rank amongst the most challenging and rewarding tours I have had... to include Combat ashore... So proud to serve with such dedicated, intelligent, and hard working people... Will be with me the rest of my life, my Navy Submarine Family. V/r “TRACER”

[@kevinc4632]

Submariner myself, Plank Owner USS SCRANTON SSN- 756 , seeing this brings back so many great memories. To this very day the friends I served with I consider them family even more than my actual blood relatives.

[@vinyltapelover]

@kevinc4632 . I had to look up the term Plank Owner. This may be an understatement, but the pride that seems to come out in you and others mentioning it, speaks volumes👍🏽. E-7 USAR RETD.

[@kevinc4632]

@@vinyltapelover You are correct, as initial crew members we were the ones whom helped build her in the shipyards, sea trials, then commissioning ceremony. Then out on patrols, nothing compares than serving on a Submarine " you" actually helped to create. That boat is literally a part of all us Plank Owners for the rest of our time on earth. Thank you

[@BsUJeTs]

Although this film was done in 1986, I have to admit that it was one of the best documentary I have seen about submarines and its crew. I am not a submariner but I do admire the bravery and intelligence that these sailers have. Even in youth I could not do this job.

[@USCGCoasttoast]

Service time is the best time!!People who never served will never understand!!Brothers for life.

[@cheddar2648]

@@watchgoose The umbrella of Liberty covers man and woman alike. God Bless.

[@adamlewellen5081]

My life regret. But would never trade for my 3 kids.. choices....

[@vespelian5769]

@Benghali In Platforms Unlike such heroes as yourself of course.

[@braunreinhold6020]

Point on Brother

[@jimh8931]

I miss it!!! It was in the early '90s that I watched Sharks of Steel with my dad and that was a selling point for me. Little did I know that I would make it a twenty-year career!!

[@DieselBoatMan]

I'm an oldster now having served on diesel boats between 68-72 ... two long westpacs. Once a submariner always a submariner. DBF/AMF

[@jebsails2837]

Served on Catfish & Diodon with friends on the Volador, Bluegill, and Redfish and Haddock.

[@jebsails2837]

@R Mack I served on the Catfish 68-69 and the Diodon '69 was my last boat, before my knees gave way. DBF

[@beyond305]

Tom Clancy, rest his soul, such an intelligent man. Great writer and historian.

[@ireneuszpyc6684]

he was an American government propagandist, always pushing political correctness

[@paulsuprono7225]

Loved his movie ! Saw it twice at Bolling AFB, DC when they had an on base theater. Gotta find a diff formatted video, of the same !

[@cheddar2648]

@@ireneuszpyc6684 Ah yes, "Without Remorse," a basic manual for political correctness. You know nothing and decree yourself a mental midget.

[@jkm49us25]

@@ireneuszpyc6684 have ever read any if his books?

[@ireneuszpyc6684]

@@jkm49us25 in "The Hunt for Red October" a Black American submariner saves the world, just like in the film "Independence Day" where a Black American jet fighter pilot saves the world: American government & Hollywood love such stories (while the rest of the world is laughing)

[@subsailor.9672]

I reported aboard my first Submarine in Dec 1970. It was an experience like no other. It was a job that demanded more from you personally, mentally, physically and emotionally than anything else I ever had to deal with. Builds character

[@cascadervsolarsolutions]

COB nailed it, we are insensitive, hard-headed, and strong-willed. After 23 years of Submarine Service, this could not be truer. I miss the brotherhood. It is hard for people to understand unless you were part of it.

[@zed332l]

To you and the COB Chief Of the Boat........You will always be A Brother of the Fin. Sea (She ) NEVER LETS YOU Go She welcomes us if we do our Part... She Grabs you by the Heart and N E V E R Lets Go. I''m 67 I Know.....

[@Otswartz]

True that brother.

[@kentwilliams4152]

I served and one diesel electric boat and two nuclear boats. I feel that the crew was closer on the deisel boat than the SSN’s and SSBN’s. Especially between the officers and enlisted men.

[@piotrd.4850]

So.... everything despised by modern 'kultur'.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@kentwilliams4152 ...literally and figuratively!.....

[@patrickyoung3503]

Outstanding doc. on subs. I lost an uncle during World War Ii while he was serving on a sub. Ever since thenI have been fascinated by them . This video is by far the best example that I've come across . I now know what life was like back then . The film " Das Boat" was very good at depicting life on a sub. during the war . Many thanks for posting

[@JRobbySh]

Das Boot explains why they called them pig boats Wonder what the quality of the air is? Like a locker room? Or a machine shop?